Heating system and apparatus



S. M. BROOKS HEATING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed May 2, 1935 17 TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH away, showing one form of means embodied in my invention;

iatenteri May 19,4 1936 HEATING SYSTEM ANn APPARATUS f Samuel M. Brooks, Merchantville, N. J., asslgnor to Warren Webster a corporation of New & Company, Camden, N. J.,

Jersey Application May 2, 1935, Serial No. 19,357 9 Claims. (Cl. 237-67) This invention relates to heating systems and valve means therefor, and the objects of the invention include the provision of improved heating systems of the type wherein steam is conveyed intermittently or at iluctuating pressures to radiators through conduits, the same conduits being utilized for the return of the condensate. With systems of this type embodying valve means and arrangements comprised in my invention hereinafter described, the condensate is returned with a minimum of interference with the efficient supplying of' steam.

Various further and more specic objects, features and advantages will clearly appear from the detailed description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying part of this specification and illustrating merely by way of example the preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention consists in such novel features, arrangements,v combinations of parts andmethods as described in connection with the apparatus herein disclosed by way of example only.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 comprises a schematic diagram of a heating system embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View partly broken valve and orifice Figs. 3 and 4 arek enlarged vertical sectional views showing respectively parts of the structure 4oi Fig.2 in two different operative positions;

Fig. 5 is a view similar a modification; and

Fig. 6 is a view vof as has heretofore been used in systems of this class.

Referring toi'ig. 1, the system there schematically shown may comprise a plurality of radiators of conventionaltype as at I0. located in a building or other structure to be heated. Other radi-- ators as at Il and l2 are located in other buildings or other sections of the same building or structure. All of these radiators as shown are connected by a "one pipe conduit system I3, to a steam main I4 which lin turn may be connected to a boiler or a central heating plant for providing a source of steam supply.

Drip connections maybe provided to suitable to Fig. 2 but illustrating o'at traps of known construction as at I3' for discharging the water of condensation from the conduit system while retaining the steam. The

k'wateras discharged may be conveyed y.to boiler water feeding mechanism or posal such as sewers, etc. l

to other points of disdrawing forming a a ixed orice member such A pressure reducing valve I5 or other form of valve for controlling the `steam supply is provided in the steam main I4. This valve is so arranged or operated as to control the Steam supply at intermittent on and oit periods. That is, during cycles preferably of predetermined length, a thermostatically regulated quantity of steam is admitted during one part of each cycle. and during another part of each cycle the ow of steam is either cut oi or its pressure substantially reduced. For this purpose a valve control motor schematically indicated as at I6, may be provided and if the valve is to be operated according to predetermined cycles of operation, this motor may be controlled by a time controlled switch I1 and the percentage of each cycle during which the on period occurs may be determined by controlling a time clock and its associated mechanism with a thermostat I8 preferably located outside the structure heated. That is, the thermostat may thus be arranged to control the rela-4 tive lengths of the on and 011' periods ofthe cycle, or it may be arranged to directly control Vthe motor or other valve operating means to vary the pressure of the steam after passing through the pressure reducing valve, in accordance with temperature variations during Iixed or predetermined on intervals. As indicated at' I9, a bypass with a control valve 20 may be provided around the main steam valve for supplying, during the ofi intervals, suillcient steam to maintain the conduit system constantly heated, notwithstanding the intermittent or uctuating character of the main supply, so that at the initiation of the on intervals, steam will be promptly supplied to the more remote radiators of the system.

Apparatus and systems for thus controlling a steam valve to provide intermittent on and oir periods of steam supply of thermostatically regulated length or of ixed length with therm statically controlled pressure variations, have been heretofore known and used. For example, one form of such apparatus is disclosed in German ,Patent No.` 279,084, Ausgegeben October 9, 1914. Other and improved systems of this type are disclosed in the patents to Owens No. 1,812,897, granted July 7, 1931, and No. 1,962,999, granted June 12, 1934, andin the copending application of Karl W. Rohlin, Ser. No. 19,397, entitled "Heat controlling-systems", iiled of even date herewith. Accordingly the details of this part of the system per se need not here be lfurther described. For economy,

in many heating installations it .-properilow l mtedin rig. ve.x It may comprise a disc-like 2l.' steam controlling aperture 2t is formed -with its periphery swaged or otherwise sealedA one pipe system for conat points beyond the orifice in prwdltion to the to the radiators as well asfor predetermined requirements. 'lhe disc 3| may the condensate. To properly control be formed at its upper-"portion with a perforathe radiators, it has tion or eyelet 33', through which a pin as at 33 in recent times often proved 'desirable to supply freely passes. The pin 33 may be permanently or 5 an intermittent or fluctuating source of steam semi-permanently secured or retained in the gupplysuch as above referred to. Furthermore, member 23. The disc 3l is thereby normally susit has proven desirablein regulatingthe flow of pended so that it covers the opening so in the steam throughout the miem. to provide orinces member'll, or may swing to open position as of p ed sise at each radiator and/or shown in Fig. 4. The member 23 may be provided 10 at other points in the conduit system whereby with a narrow raised seating area 34 surroundduring each on period, steam is supplied suhing the opening 33 to form a seat for the member atantialiy concurrently to the variousl radiators 3l when in closed position.

in ntothepredeterminedsteamrequire- The manner in which the deviceof Figs. 3 ments for each. However. under some condi. and 4 4may be installed at the inlet of a radiator l5 tionsdifiieultiesareencounteredinapplyin'g these is indicated in Fig. 2 wherein a conduit of a features to a one pipe" type 4of system, in that "one pipe" steam heatingsystem, as indicated at if the on periods are mad'relatively long (as 33. is connected through a valve 36 of confor example during-cold weather) as compared ventional form to a radiator inlet 31.

with the oT' periods. there may be a tendency The operation of a heating system as embody- 20 for the condensate to accumulate excessivelyin the radiators. thereby sometimes hindering the of steam into the radiators, or sometim musing a flow of condensate out ,through the air exhaust valves of the radiators.; Also, under such conditions the return flow of condenslte through the inlets of the radiators, in interfering with the steam flow, may result in excessive agitation and splashing ofthe water,l producing troublesome gurgling and water-hammer noises, as well as interrupting the desired distribution of the steam'in the system. When these diillculties arise, they may be readily overcome by my invention. Referring again to Fig. l, oriiice means as indicated at 2i, each .having apertures of predetermined sise, may be provided at the inlets of each of theradiators 4for the purpose above stated of insuring that steam will be supplied substantially concurrently to the various radiators in proportion to the predetermined steam requirements for each. '.lh this same end, or for aiding in the controlled now of steam to the more remote parts of the system. as compared with the parts nearer the source of supply, similar orifices may be provided at other points inthe conduitl system as at 22. The details of one example of such lan o riilce member per vse' 'as' heretofore' used, are illusing the above'described example of my inven-v tion will nowfbe explained. Let us assume that the main steam valve Il 'is operating intermittently at relatively short' intervals giving, for example. an. on',' interval of steam supply to the 25 radiators of from 5 to 20 minutes, alternating with an "oil" interval of say one minute, during Whichonly enough steam is being provided through the bly-pass Il to maintain the conduit system in warmed condition and with substantially no steam passing through the inlet orifices at the radiators. During the on intervals steam may for example be supplied to the valves at the intakes of the radiators at about one pound pressure and this will cause the swingable discs 3l to be retained vin' seating engagement with the seating areas as at 34, while steam is being delivered through the orifice apertures as at 32 into the radiators. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the jets of steam at these oriilces will 40 be substantially above the surface of the condensate within the radiator inlets. Accordingly the incoming steam does not cause agitation and splashing of the water, and gurgling and waterhammer noises'are obviated. As the steam con- 45 denses in the radiator during the continuance of the onf interval, the water level rises slightly until the "on" interval is terminated. Thereupon the steam pressure on the discs 3l will be substantiallydiminished .or removed and the jets 50 at 23, properly shapedto beembraced between of :steam 1 into the radiator inlets will the engaging surfaces of two opposed union memeT be'reduced or discontinued during the subsequent bers.` The inner portion'ofthis-disc-like assembly Voir". interval. That Vis, in a relatively short may comprise a reinforcing disc` 2 4 sealed at its time, say forexample one-half minute, the gas periphery into an aperture 'ln the flange member --cnd steam pressures on each side of the discs 3| i 55 will have become substantially equalized, so that atthecenter of thedisc 2|. A these ldiscs ,are free to swing outwardly under to the preferred example of my pres- Qthe pressurerof the condensate within the radlaen t invention, however, these orifice members torinlets,thus permittingthe accumulated water may be constructed in the manner shown in Figs. 3 'and- 4. Here opposed faces of union members be drained `away throughthe supply pipe. Any are' indicated at 23 and 21. The curved flange j subsequent tendency foralterations of. the steam portion 23 of the orinceassembly is clamped in v e or gas .prsures on opposite sides ofthe swingsealing relationship between these two. faces. An able discs 'during inner reinforcing plate or. disc'is provided at 2l assembly having a'relatively thin outer flange as .the continuance of the oil interval, Awillhe prevented fr om moving the discs 3i to closed position and from causing any chattering movement thereof because of the effective equalization of thme pressures which takes place through the upper part of the openings 30. Accordingly. during the olf interval, the excess condensate in the radiators will be rapidly' drained down to substantially the level oi' the lower limits ofthe openings 33 without interruption.s Then when steam is again automatically turnedon at the start of another on in- 75.

within an openin'formed in the member 2,3. The central portion 'of the member 2s may be lformed with an opening 3l arranged to be partially covered by a movable disc member 3 l through which is formed the steam controlling orifice or aperture 32. That is. the-aperture 3 2 is the one which is made of predetermined size, depending upon the position in the system (for the of -the orifice proper control of the steam) for supplyingsteain -to rapidly 4iiowout throughthe openings 30 and 60 use, including also types of such parts and the as continued for a. short period and while steam l 1s still being admitted through the oriiice aperture. Fig. 4 shows the condition of the parts and of the condensate shortly after an "oil" interval has been initiated.

Fig. 5 illustrates of formed in a fixed assembly similar to that above described in connection with Fig. 6, or as shown,

a iiat perforated plate held bedevice of Fig. 2. Fig'. 5 indicates the level of the condensate andthe condition of the parts just prior to the beginning of an "01T" interval.

'I'he condensate outlet thus may belocated within the same xture and just below the steam crice, or if desired, these two parts may be mounted within separate couplingV members. either event, the passage for the condensate, during the off intervals, forms in eiect a by-pass i'or the steam oriice, permitting rapid withdrawal of the condensate during the 01T intervals and independently of the admission of steam during the on intervals.

With heating systems constructed in accordance with this invention, the radiators may be valves having float elements. Yet due to the rapid drainage of the condensate during the "oiP intervals, and despite the use of the restricted orices for the steam control during the "on intervals, all danger of leakage of water from the air valves may be practically eliminated. The equalization of. the pressures between the radiator and the supply pipe at'the beginning of the off intervals, takes place very promptly and is maintained during the remainder of thefoif interval, and as a consequence, air valves may be satisfactorily used even though having relatively small venting Heretofore when steam control orices have been used, it has in general beenfound desirable to use air valves with exceptionally large venting ports'inorder to prevent the development of a vacuum Within the radiator during the periods when the steam supply is cut oil.

This invention has the further advantage that in some cases, in the event the main stem valve available, the on tended even with the air valves of standard types,

or other intermittently operating means for controlling the steam supply is shut down for readjustment purposes or for repair, the operation of the system may be readily continued without providing duplicate standby equipment for ac emergencies tem is out of service.

This invention permits the use of abnormally short o intervals whenever such. practice is desirable in` avoiding pressure fluctuations in the boilers or in cold "on intervals regulated in length according to the temperature conditions. Furthermore, as compared with the practice possible with intermittently operated one pipe systems yheretofore intervals may be greatly vexwlthout the possibility of water escaping from the air valves. 'I'his invention readily makes possible the reduction of the oi little as 10% of the total period of each cycle of operation, so that for example, if the operation of the system is divided into cycles of ten minutes in length, the minimum off period might be one minute and the remainder of the cycle devoted to delivering steam to the radiators.

While the invention has been described with spectively, said members being provided with apertures of various predetermined by substantial quantities of steam are supplied substantially concurrently to the various radiators in proportion to the steam requirements for each, said orifice members being movable to provide a larger aperture to permit rapid exit of when the steam supply is cut oir or is relatively low.

2. In a heating system, a source of iiuctuata plurality of radiators located at 4 sizes where-L from the radiators during 'intervals period to as ing steam supply, a plurality of radiators located A at different distances from said source and havlng different steam requirements, conduit means for connecting said radiators to said source, orifice members within the conduits tov said rada` tors respectively, said members `being provided `with apertures of various predetermined sizes whereby substantial quantities of steam are supplied substantially concurrently to the various radiators in proportion to the steam requirements for each, said orifice members being movable to provide apertures lower than the steam admission apertures for permitting the exit of conde nsate from the radiators during intervals when the steam supply is out ofi' or is relatively low.

3. In a heating system, a plurality of radiators, a common source of fluctuating supply of fluid heating medium therefor, aconduit system for connecting said source with the inlets of each of said radiators, said radiators being provided with air exhaust valves, orifice members provided at various points in said conduit system, said members being provided with apertures of predetermined size to control the fiow of heating medium therethrough whereby the amount of heating medium flowing to the various parts of the system will be substantially proportional to the requirements in each of said parts, and said orifice members being movable to positions permitting the rapid return of the cooled heating medium through the conduitv system during intervals when the supply of heating medium is cut off or is at a relatively low pressure.

4. In a heating system, a plurality of radiators, a common source of fluctuating supply of fluid heating medium therefor, a conduit system for connecting said source with the inlets of each of said radiators, orifice members provided adjacent the inlets of the radiators respectively, each of said members being provided with apertures of predetermined size to control the flow of heating medium therethrough whereby the amount of heating medium flowing to each radiator Will be substantially proportional to its requirements, said apertures being located at points substantially at or above the normal level of the cooled heating medium in the adjacent radiator, and said members being movable to provide lower openings permitting the rapid return of the cooled heating medium through the conduit system during periods when the supply of heating medium is cut off or is at a relatively low pressure.

5. In a heating system, a plurality of radiators, a common source of fluctuating supply of steam therefor, a conduit system for connecting said source with the inlets of said radiators, orifice members provided at various points in said conduit system, said members comprising suspended swinging disc-like elements provided with apertures of predetermined size to control the flow of steam therethrough and swinging to open a larger aperture for the return flow of condensate when the steam supply is cut off or reduced in pressure.

6. In a heating system, a radiating unit, a source of fluctuating supply of fluid heating medium therefor, a conduit for connecting said source with said unit, a movable orice member provided in said conduit and having an aperture of predetermined size to control the flow of heating medium to said unit, said orifice member being movable to a position providing a larger aperture extending to a lower elevation than said first named aperture when the supply of heating medium is cut off or diminished.

7. In a steam heating system, a radiator, a conduit for supplying steam thereto through an inlet in the lower portion of said radiator, and movable means in said conduit adjacent said inlet and having a steam admitting aperture and movable to provide a lower condensate aperture when the steam pressure is diminished.

8. The method of supplying steam to a group of radiators connected by a conduit system, to a common source of steam supply, and of returning the condensate from the radiators, which comprises supplying steam from said source intermittently, restricting the flow of steam through the conduits to each of the radiators whereby substantial quantities of steam are supplied substantially concurrently to the various radiators in proportion to the predetermined steam requirements for each, and rapidly Withdrawing at least the larger portion of the condensate from the radiators through said conduit system during intervals when the intermittent supply of steam is cut off or diminished, by utilizing the variations in the steam pressure to open and close exit openingsfor the condensate at or adjacent the radiators.

9. A method for supplying steam to a radiator system from a common source of supply through a conduit system and for withdrawing the condensate from the radiators through said conduit system, which comprises supplying steam to the conduit system intermittently with cycles comprising at least a minimum interval during which substantially no steam is supplied to the radiating units and another interval during which a quantity of steam is supplied depending upon prevailing heating requirements, restricting the flow of steam to each radiating unit whereby substantial quantities of steam are supplied substantially concurrently to the various units in proportion to the steam requirements of each, and rapidly withdrawing at least a greater part of the condensate from the radiators through said conduit system during the occurrence of said minimum time intervals, by utilizing the variations in the steam supply to control exit openings for the condensate from the radiators.

SAMUEL M. BROOKS. 

